Type-writing machine.



s. T; SMITH. TYPE WRITJNG'MACHINE. APPLIQATION FILED MAY 29. 15 )14.

Patented Nbv. 2,

a sus'nswsncer 1.

INVENTOR? 1% WM ,ATIO' NEY.

WITNESSFISR WITNESSES S. T. SMITH.

TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

' APPLICATION FILED MA-Y 29. 1914.

1,159,1 16. Patented Nov. 2, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

. i I v BY Ex INVENTOR" S. T. SMITH.

TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

A/PPLICATION FILED MAY 29. 1914.

Patented Nov. 2, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

INVENTOW My Afiw IIIIFIIII IIIL gig WITNESSES a UNITED STATES PA T orrro STEPHEN T. SMITH, OF STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR T UNDERWOOD-TYPE':

' WRITER COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE TYPE-WRITING; MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 2, 1915.

Application filed May 29, 1914r- Serial No. 841,697. 7

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, STEPHEN T. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing in Stamford, in the county of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Type- Vriting Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates particularly to typewriting machines of the class in which.

a paper carriage is shiftable from one set of types to another set, each set having its own keys. The type sets may be mounted on machine frames placed side by side and the paper carriage may run on a track of sufficient length to enable the types of either set to cooperate with the carriage.

The machine is adapted for writing with different kinds or characters of types, comprising either the characters of different languages or different styles or kinds of types in the same language. If the type sets consist of different styles of letters or characters, they may be used, for example, in writing sets of resolutions, licenses, etc. Insome languages, for instance, the Japanese language, the use of" two different kinds or styles of types in the same piece of work is very extensively employed.

A feature of this invention relates to mechanism for shifting the platen to upper and lower case positions by means of shift keys, each operable to shift the platen while the carriage is at any point along its path of travel. The platen may be mounted on the carriage and run on a shift rail of suflicient length to support the platen for all positions of the carriage, enabling the platen frame to run on said rail from the printing zone of one set of types to that of the other.

A plurality of pairs of shift keys are provided, one pair associated with each set of type keys, lift the shift rail and thereby I shift the platen, regardless of its position along the shift rail. Each pair of shift keys may comprise a left-hand key operable to shift the platen to upper case position and permit it to return when the operator removes his finger from the shift key, and a right-hand shift key cooperating with the means to lock the platen in upper case position when the key is depressed, the lock being releasable by and each shift key is operable to pressure on the left-hand shift key. The left-hand shift keys for the two sets are suitably connected, so that when either key is depressed, the other one will be simultane- 0 usly actuated, but independently of the right-hand shift keys. The right-hand shift keys are likewise connected for simultaneous operation, but independently of .the lefthand shift keys. The said connections between the corresponding keys may in each instance comprise a rock shaft having arms connected through links to the shift key levers.. I

Means for locking the shift railin upper case position may comprise a rock shaft carrying a cam actuated y a pin ona locking said rock shaft is' rocked, and an arm on said shaft rocks 'a locking lever which normally locks the shift rail in lower case position. Said locking lever when thus locked, releases the shift rail,-'permitting it,.-to be moved upward by the shift key, ahd the locking lever is then moved into position to lock the shift rail in upper case position. The shift rail may be released to return to lower case position by depressing a left-hand shift key which operates through a cam on said rock shaft to release the locking lever. Owing tothiconnections between the shift keys, the same locking device is operable by both locking shift keys, and is releasable by either of the left-hand or non-locking shift keys. Also, owing to the connections between the shift keys, the shift frame is always supported by two of the key levers at different points along the frame when any shift key is depressed. On account of the double length of the shift frame, this feature is of special value in preventing tensional strain or sagging of the frame, and, in permitting a free and easy shifting action.

after appear.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a part sectional elevation view of a machine constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention, the section being taken near the right end of the machine. Fig. 2'is a fragmentary view showing two different styles of types which may be used .in the two. type sets. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the platen shifting mechanism.

Other objects and advantages will herein-' Figat is apartly diagrammatic rear elevation view of the invention showing the two machine frames and the paper carriage. Fig. is a front elevation view of the'same.

Two machine frames A and Bwhich may be the same as used inthe standard Underwood typewriting machines, are placed .side by side and mounted on a common base 1. Each frame is provided with 'a system of type keys 2 on key levers 3 fulcrun'ied on a rod 1 and connected through hell cranks 5. to type bars 6 for swinging the latter upwardly and rearwardly about their fulcrums 7, to cause the types thereon to strike against the front face of the platen 8. The platen is mounted on an axle 9 journaled in a platen frame 10 shiftably mounted, as by means of arms 11 pivoted at 12, in a carriage 13. The carriage is mounted to travel along the front and rear guide rails 14:, 15 respectively, the

carriage having a front roll 16 to run on the guide rail 1t and lugs 17 to slide on the guide rail 15. The guide rails 14:, 15 extend across both the frames A and B.- being of sufficient length to accommodate the letterfeed movement of the carriage in cooperation with both type sets and also to permit the carriage to be shifted at will from one printing zone to the other. The carriage is driven in letter-feed direction by a spring drum 18 on the frame A, said drum connected through a band 19 to the carriage.

The letter-feed movement of the carriage is controlled in thetwo printing zones by separate letter-feed mechanisms, one associated with each set of type bars. Each of these mechanisms comprises a pinion 20 run ning in mesh with a rack 21 on the carriage, said pinion connected to drive an escape ment wheel 22, with which cooperate escapement dogs 23 on the rock frame 2%, actuated by a universal bar 25. The type bars are formed with shoulders 25 which move the universal bar 25 rearwardly and op'erate the escapement dogs each time a type bar is swung up to the platen. The carriage rack 21 may be lifted from the pinion 20 by depressing a finger key 26. the latter connected to, or forming part of a swinging frame which is pivoted at 27 and comprises arms 28 that carry the rack 21. The rack may thus be released at the will of the operator from either escapement mechanism to permit the carriage to be moved from one printing zone to the other or from one position to another in the same zone.

The types operated by one set or system of keys may be of a diflerent kind or style from those of the other set. Thus in Fig. 2 are shown two styles of types 29 and 30, which may respectively represent the two sets of types. This arrangement permits two different styles of letters or other charactersto be employed in a piece of work by simply shifting the platen from one printing -zone to the other when it is desired to change ets 33, 3t being fixed to a rock shaft 37 journaled in the left-hand machine frame A, and the brackets 35, 36 fixed to a rock shaft 38 on the frame 13. said rock shafts 37 and 38 being in 'alinement. The shafts 37 and 38 may be the same as those usually en ployed on the Underwood machine, or a single shaft extending across the two machine frames could be used if preferred. The shift rail, brackets and the rock shafts 37. 38-.form a platen shifting frame adapted to be operated by any one of a number of shift key levers 39. -10. 41, 42. The shift key leversare fulcrumed on the rod 4:, and each lever comprises an arm 44. extending upward from its fulcrum behind one of the brackets 33 to 36 for swinging said brackets and thereby lifting the shift rail 32 to move the platen to upper case position. The arms 4+1 are held against lateral displacement relative to the brackets by means of guiding,

lugs 15, on the bracket arms or the arms 44.

The weight of the platen and the parts shifting therewith is partially counter bal- "'anced by springs 46, each anchored at one end to the machine frame and at itsother end adjustably connected to a serrated portion d7. of one of said brackets. The shift key levers 39 to 42 have at their forward end shift keys 4:8, 49, 50 and 51, the keys 48 and 19 being located at the left-hand and right-hand sides .ofthe system of type keys on the frame A, while thekeys 50 and 51 are similarly located with respect to the type keys on the frame B. "When a shift key is depressed the corresponding arm 44 is moved forwardly and swings the guide rail upward to lift the platen to the upper case position shown in full lines in Fig. 1. The left-hand keys as and 50 and also the righthandkeys 49 and 51 are operated in pairs, that is. if either of the left hand keys is depressed. the other 1eft-hand key is simultaneously depressed; likewise. the right hand keys move together. To effect this operation the keys 48 and 50 are connected through links 52 to rock arms 53, fixed to a rock shaft 54:. The right-hand keys -19 and 51 are similarly connected through links 52 to rock arms 55 and 56 on the rock shaft 57.

on the key lever 40. so that when the lever 40 is moved downward the shaft 58 is rbbked, anda forwardlyextending arm 60 thereon which-rests on the forward end of a" locking lever or bar 62, rocks said bar about its" pivot63 and lifts the rear end of the bar. The latter is formed with an opening 64; into which projects a pin 65 on an armor extension 66 of the bracket 33, which opening'64: is formed at its'rear end avith a recess or notch 67' in, which the pin 6%") normally-seats-and thereby locks the shif rail in lower case position. When the lOflvZlIIg bar 62 is, operated by the depression of the key levers40, as above noted, the pin 65 is free to'swing with the shift frame and as the notch 68 at the forward end of the opening,

improvements may thewframe reaches its upper case position, pin. is brought opposite a holding 64. The pin 61 on the key lever 4&0 at the same time is carried beyond the cam 60 permitting aspring to return the locking bar 62 and rock shaft 58 so that the pin 65 seats in the holding notch '68. The pin 61 also drops into a holding recess 69, in the i When the shift .frame is lockedin uppercase position it is supported at the left-hand end by the locking bar 62, near the middle by the key lever 40 held down by the arm. 59, and at the right-hand end bythe down by the lever 40, connected thereto throug the rock shaft 57. Also during the shifting of the shift frame the lifting power is distributed between the two levers 40 and 42, owing to their connection through the rock-shaft 57. v v

The shift frame may be released by depressing either of the left-hand shift keys, the releasing means comprising a pin 71 on the key lever 39, said pin bearing against a cam'arm 72 on the rock shaft 58, so that as the key lever 39 moves downward the arm 60 is rocked downward and swings the locking'bar 62 to released position, permitting the shift frame to return to lower case position.

Variations may be resorted to within the scope of the invention, and portions of the be used without others. Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a typewriting machine, the combinationjwith a plurality of keyboards, Ofaa platen when cooperating with either type system.

. 3. In a type system associatediwith each keyboard, a platen movable into position to cooperate with either type system, a shift key,

means operated thereby to shift and lock the platenwhen in cooperative relation to either type system, and a" second shift key operable either to shift the platen or to release the platen-when locked by said first;

named keyand permit it to return to lower case position.

4. In a typewriting machine, the combitypewriting machine, the combination with'a plurality 9f keyboards, of a nation with a plurality of typesystems and a a plurality of keyboards, of a carriage shiftable into coeperative relation with either type system, a platen on the carriage shiftable to upper. and lower case positions, a

shift key associated with each keyboard,

key lever 42, the latter being held means operated by each shift key to shift the platen, and a mechanical connection between the shlft keys for ,ausing the shift keys to be operated together.

.. 5. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a plurality of type systems and a plurality of keyboards, of a carri age shiftable into cooperative relation with either type system, a platen on the carriageshiftingly positioned key on theother board, so

that when any key is operated the corresponding key .on the other board will be operated, and platen-shifting mechanism op type system associated with each keyboard,

.a platen movable into position to cooperate with either-type system, a shift key, and -means operated by the shiftkey to shift the {platen when the latter is in cooperative re- 1 .lation with either "type system.

atyp'ewriting machine,.-the combina- 'ltll a plurality of keyboards, of a type associated with each keyboard, a

ipl'aten movable into position to coiiperate with either type system,

shift keys, one at each keyboard, and means operated by the shift. key; at'either keyboard to shift the -''plied' to either era-ted by said keys. v

7 In a typewriting machine, the combination with keyboards located side by side, of right and left-handshift keys at the right and left-hand sides of said boards, connections between the said right-hand keys for causing both keys to be operated when pressure is applied to either key, connections between the left-hand keys for causingthem both to beoperated when pressure is apone, v and platen-shifting "mechanism operated by each of said-keys.

'8. In'a typewriting machine, the combination with keyboards located side by side,'of

right and left-hand shift keys at the right and lefthand sides of the said boards, connections between the said right hand keys for causing both keys to be operated when pressure is applied to either key, connections between the left-hand keys for causing them both to be operated when pressure is applied to either one, platen-shifting mechanism, locking means operated by one key on each keyboard to lock the shifting mechanism in operated position, and means operated by the other key of each keyboard to release said shifting mechanismx 10. In a typewriting machine, the combi-' nation with a plurality of sets of types, of a carriage'mounted to travel from one type zone to another, a platen mounted on the carriage, a shift rail, and means for operating the shift rail and thereby shifting the carriage when .in cooperative relation to either type system.

11. In a case shifting mechanism, the combination of a shifting frame, shift key levers to apply a shifting pressure to said frame at. different points along the frame, said levers being mounted independently of each other, and a train of connecting mechanism between the free ends of said key levers, whereby both levers are operated when pressure is applied to akey on either lever.

12. Ina case shifting mechanism, the combination with a shifting frame, of shift-key levers arranged to bear on the shifting frame at different points for lifting and sup.- porting the frame when either key lever is operated, said levers being mounted independently of each other, and a train of connecting mechanism between the free ends of said key levers for causing them to move together, whereby the shifting frame is supported by both key levers when either one is operated.

13. In a platen-shifting mechanism, the combination with a shift rail, of Swinging bracket arms carrying said rail, shift-key levers mounted independently of each other, keys thereon, each of said levers having an arm to engage one of said bracket arms and thereby lift the shift rail when a shift'key is depressed, and a train of connecting mechanism between the free ends of the key levers for positively operating both levers when either key is depressed.

l i In aplaten-shifting mechanism, the

combination with a shift rail, of swinging bracket arms carrying said rail, shift key levers, keys thereon, each of said levers havmg an arm to engage one of said bracket farms and lift the shift rail when a shift key is depressed, a rock shaft extending transversely of the key levers, rock arms on said shaft, and links connecting the rock printing zones, a carriage movable from one printing zone to the other, a platen on said carriage, a shift rail for shifting the platen while the carriage is at either printing zone, shift keys on said keyboards, key levers carrying the shift keys, means for applying the shifting power of the shift key levers at different points along the shift rail, and a connection from the shift key on one keyboard to the shift key on the other keyboard to cause both keys t o'be depressed when pressure is applied to either key.

16. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen-shifting frame, of a plurality of shift key levers mounted independently of one another, each arranged to apply a lifting power directly to the said frame, keys on said levers, a train of con necting mechanism between the free ends of the key levers for causing them both to be operated when pressure is applied to either shift key and thereby support the said frame at different points, and a lock to hold the shift keys in operated position.

17. In a typewriting machine, the combination. with a platen-shifting frame, of a plurality of shift key levers having keys thereon, each arranged to apply a shifting power directly to the said frame, a connection between the key levers for causing them both to be operated when pressure is applied to either shift key and thereby support the shift frame at different points, alock to hold the shift keys in operative position, and a lock for the said frame operated by the shift keys and forming a support for the said frame independently of its support by the key levers.

18. In a platen-shifting mechanism, the combination with a shift-rail forming part of a shift-frame, said frame having four opnation with a plurality of systems of types and a carriage mounted to travel from one type zone to another, each system of said types comprising upper and lower-case charact-ers, of case-shifting mechanism to enable the carriage to cooperate with upper and lower-case types in said type-systems, said case-shifting mechanism provided with shiftkeys, one for each type-system, and connections whereby one shift-key can effect a caseshifting operation when the carriage is cooperating with either type-system.

20. Ina typewriting machine, the combination with a plurality of systems of types and a carriage mounted to travel from one; type zone vto anotheneach system of said types comprising upper and lower-case characters, of case-shifting mechanism to enable the carriage tocooperate wlth upper and whereby said locking key will shift the case- I said type-systems,-

shifting mechanism and lock it in shifted position when the carriage is cooperating with either type-system, and means whereby said releasing key will release said lock, said release key being also capable of shifting the case-shift mechanism without locking the same, and being effective when the carriage V is cooperating with either type-system.

21. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a plurality of type-systems, each system including lower-case and upper-case characters, and keyboards for said type-systems, "of a carriage mounted to travel from one type zone to another, a case-shifting frame effective when the carriage is cooperating with either type-system, and a shiftkey at each keyboard for shifting said shiftframe, said shift-keys connected for simultaneous movement. v j a 22. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a plurality of systems of types and a vcarriage'mou nted totravel from one type zone to another, each system of said types comprising upper and lower-case characters, keyboards for said type-systems, case-shifting mechanism to enablethe carriage to cooperate with upper and lower-case types in said case-shifting mechanism including a shift-frame and also including locking shift-keys, one at each of said key-boards, locking mechanism operable by said shift-keys to lock frame in shifted position, a non-locking shift-key operable to shift said frame, and means operated by the last-named key to unlock the shift-frame.

23. In a typewriting machine, the combi-' nation of a plurality of systems of types and a carriage mounted to travel from one type zone to another, each system of' said types,

comprising upper and lower-case characters,

keyboards for said type-systems, case-shifting mechanism to enable the carriage to cooperate with upper and lower-case types in said type-systems, said case-shifting mechanism including ashift-frame and also including locking-shift-keys, one at each of said-key-board's, locking mechanism operable said shift-keys to lock the shift-frame in shifted-position, a plurality of non-locking each operable to shift said frame,

the shiftone of said non-locking keys at each keyboard, and means operable by eachof the non-locking shift-keys to unlock "the shiftframe.

2l. A typewriting machine comprising a plurality of'keyboards, a plurality of typesystems, each system comprisingtypes to be brought into use at a case-shifting operation,

- plurality of keyboards, a plurality of typesystems, each system comprising types to be brought into use at a case-shifting operation, a carriage, a platen frame on said carriage, said carriage adjustable to cooperate with either type-system, and means for effecting a case-shifting movement of said platen frame on said carriage when the carriage is cooperating with either type-system. 26. The combination with a plurality of type-systems, each having its own individual printing center or point, of a paper-carrier, and means to effect relative case-shifting movement between the paper-carrier and the type-systems to enable the carrier to cooperate with difi'erent case types in either typesystem. i I

27. The combination of a plurality of type-systems, each having its own printing point, and the types in one system being operable independently of the types in the 7 other system, a platen, means for effecting case-shifting adjustment of the platen to enable it to cooperate with different case types in either type-system, and a letter-feeding mechanism for controlling said platen when cooperating with either system of types.

28; A typewriting machine comprising a movement between said paper-carrier and either of said type-systems independently of the other type-system. j

29.- A typewritingmachine comprising a plurality of keyboards, a plurality of typesystems, one for each ofsaid keyboards, the types in each system being individually operable by their connected keyboard independently of the types in the other system, each system comprising types to be brought written when said carrier is cooperating with either type-system.

30. A; typewriting machine comprising a plurality of keyboards, a pluralityof typesystems, the types in each system being operable indi *idually and independently of the type in the other system, each of said systems comprising types to bebrought into use ata case-shifting operation, a carriage, a platen frame on said carriage, said carriage adjustable from a position to coijperate with only one of said typesystems to a position to cooperate With only the other of said type-systems, means to enable each keyboard I to control the step-byestep movements of said carriage, and means for eflecting a case shifting movement of said platen trame when the carriage 1S cooperating with either type-system.

31. A. typewriting machine comprising a plurality of typewriting mechanisms, each having a main frame, said frames rigidly 1 connected,

comprising keys and types individually operable by said keys independently of the each typewriting mechanism types and keys in the other typewriting mechanism; each typevvriting mechanism also comprising a case-shifting device operable independently of the case-shifting device of the other typeivriting mechanism; a

paper-carriage common to said typeWri-ting mechanisms; and shiftable from a position to cooperate with o'nlyone of said typewriting mechanisms to a position to cooperate with only the other of said typewriting mechanisms; a spring to drive said. papercarriage; and feeding devices to control said carriage at the type-impressing operations of said typewriting mechanisms.

A typewriting machine comprising a plurality of keyboards, a plurality of typesystems, one for each of said-keyboards,'the types in each system being individually operable by the connected keyboard independently of the types in the other system, each system comprising types to be brought into use at a case'shifting operation, a paper-carrier adjustable fromposition to cooperate with either type-system to position to cooperate With the other type-system, and means for eil'ecting a relative caseshifting movement between. said platen and either of said type-systems independently of the other type-system5 sa d case-shifting means including a shift-key on each of said keyboards, each shift-key being operable independently of the other shift-key.

33. A typeivriting machine comprising a plurality of keyboards, a plurality of typesystems, the types in each system being up erable individually and independently of the types in the other system, each of said systems comprising types to'be brought into use at a case-shifting operation, a carriage, a platen frame on' said carriage, said carriage adjustable from a position to cooperate with only one. of said type-systems to a position to cotiperate with only the other of said type-systems, and means for effecting a case-shifting movement of said platen frame when the carriage is cooperating with either type-system; said platen-frame-shifting mechanism including two platen-shifting keys, one at each of said keyboards, each of said shift-keys operable independently of the other. a STEPHEN T. SMITH.

Witnesses:

VVESTPHAL, 'lrrus H. Inons. 

